The pharmaceutical industry has transformed dramatically recently as scientific advances have been matched by a shift in leadership demographics. Nigeria’s multibillion-dollar pharma sector holds immense potential to fuel economic growth and enhance citizens’ well-being. Though historically male-dominated, bold women have emerged as influential leaders and are driving success in the field. Among these women is Odunola Oyegade, an instrumental figure who has contributed positively to the industry for over 30 years.

Odunola’s career began in the 1990s after earning her pharmacy degree from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. She started by managing a pharmacy store, in Victoria Island, Lagos, gaining invaluable management experience and leadership skills. She navigated the challenges of being the sole pharmacist on duty from 7 AM to 7 PM, six days a week. This period, she described as her “moulding phase”, laid the foundation for the career path that unfolded in her early 20s.

The Genesis of Mopheth Pharmacy
After four years of honing skills and learning the ropes, Odunola’s entrepreneurial spirit stirred. She dreamed of owning an accessible, community-focused pharmacy, and had observed closely, the market, its challenges, and gaps. Galvanised by an innate calling to serve her community and her concluded field research, she took a leap. In 1997, Odunola and her husband Adekunle Oyegade, also a Pharmacist founded Mopheth Pharmacy, meaning “miracle” in Hebrew, she recalled that it began in a modest ” 15 square meter store”.

Compelled by challenges plaguing Nigeria’s pharmaceutical retail sector including, the epidemic of fake drugs, lack of healthcare consultation services, and the limited purchasing power of the people, Odunola with an incisive understanding of the market dynamics, and its needs implemented a round-the-clock service to directly respond to the pressing challenges by increasing access, improving quality, and meeting the purchasing limitations faced by the Nigerian populace. This audacious move distinguished Mopheth Pharmacy in a market where pharmacies traditionally kept limited hours. The crux of their vision was to make quality medications and healthcare consultations easily accessible to everyone.

Though entrepreneurship may be common in Nigeria, a few women succeed in building thriving, scalable businesses given the country’s harsh economic realities. Yet Odunola stands among the few who have broken through. Reflecting on her journey thus far, she describes her accomplishments, saying “One of the biggest milestones for me is doing business without taking any loans…”

Diverse Healthcare Initiatives and Growth
Driven by her vision and a personal experience of her journey to parenthood, Odunola alongside her husband expanded the pharmacy’s scope by venturing into fertility medication – a sensitive facet of women’s healthcare. After undertaking extensive research, Mopheth Pharmacy partnered with Merck, a multinational pharmaceutical company as their official representative in Nigeria, working with fertility clinics to supply quality fertility medication, and providing solutions to women across Nigeria.

While this venture may not be widely publicized, it highlights Odunola’s commitment to addressing multifaceted needs within the healthcare sector. Passionate about spurring innovation, Odunola is looking toward a future of pioneering change through health technology. She aims to develop her passion for precision medicine and tackle systemic issues like improving early diagnosis, increasing access to healthcare consultation, and advocating for wellness awareness.
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Years after its launch, the company has flourished and deepened its roots, establishing more locations across Lagos, and remaining grounded in its vision to serve community needs.

Leading By Influence
Describing herself as one with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and an advocate of self-development, Odunola has invested in advanced leadership training from renowned institutions like John Maxwell and Wharton Business School. She values the content and resources provided by the institutions, emphasizing the importance of structure, processes, and business coaching in her overall development. She also passes on this knowledge to nurture talent within the business, instilling strong professional foundations in her team.

As Odunola explained, “I influence people through role modelling. I like to do what I want people to do.”

Nearly three decades later, Odunola Oyegade continues leading the organisation’s growth through her strategic business acumen and willingness to push boundaries. Being a woman who is also deeply committed to her family, she exemplifies how women and mothers can thrive as leaders and entrepreneurs in their chosen careers. These attributes depict Odunola as a role model for aspiring female pharmacists and business owners.
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